COURSE OUTLINE: Fall/05 CS 113 Introduction to Computers

2005/06 Catalog Data Introduction to computer programming together with the consideration of the impact of computers on society. Emphasis on logical problem-solving and algorithms. No credit given to students with credit for CS 151, CS 213 or Math 446, 471. Mode 2.

Textbook David Schneider, An Introduction to Programming Using Visual Basic 6.0, Fourth (Update) Edition, Prentice Hall, 2004.

Instructor Neli P. Zlatareva, Ph.D., Professor of Computer Science.

Office MS204.

Phone (860) 832-2723.

E-mail

Office hours TR 1:45 p.m. - 2:30 p.m.

MW 10:50 a.m. - 12:30 p.m., 6:30 p.m. - 7:00 p.m.

Course objectives Having completed this course successfully, the student should:

  1. Be familiar with the use of computers as a prime tool in solving of common problems within various facets of our society.
  2. Understand the generic principles of computer programming as applied directly to common situations.
  3. Comprehend the procedures, algorithms, functions and processes of an appropriate computer language.
  4. Use the knowledge both of algorithmic functions and of computer programming in definite application settings.
  5. Demonstrate the use of these concepts and knowledge in the direct production of programs applied to diverse problem settings.

Class topical outline and assignments for the week

Week 1 August 29 - September 2

  • Introduction to computers and components of a computer system. Computer hardware and computer software.
  • Introduction to the lab. Introduction to Windows NT.
  • Assignment: Read Chapter 1.1, 1.2, 1.3 of the Textbook.

Week 2 September 6 - September 9

  • Introduction to Windows NT (cont).
  • Introduction to Visual Basic. Visual Basic Objects.
  • Assignment: Read Chapters 1.4, 1.5 and 3.1

Week 3 September 12 - September 16

  • Visual Basic events. Numbers and Strings.
  • Assignment: Read and practice Chapter 3.2, 3.3, 3.4 of the Textbook.

Week 4 September 19 - September 23

  • Interacting with the computer: input and output. Built-in functions.
  • Assignments:
  1. Submit program # 1.
  2. Read and practice Chapter 3.5, 3.6 of the Textbook.

Week 5 September 26 – September 30

  • Test #1 (Chapters 1 and 3).
  • Subprograms in Visual Basic (part 1).
  • Assignment: Read and practice Chapter 4.1 of the Textbook.

Week 6 October 3 - October 7

  • Subprograms in Visual Basic (part 2).
  • Assignments:
  1. Submit program #2.
  2. Read and practice Chapter 4.2 of the Textbook.

Week 7 October 10 - October 14

  • Introduction to Microsoft Word and Microsoft PowerPoint.
  • Assignments:
  1. Begin paper and talk preparations.
  2. Submit program #3.

Week 8 October 17 - October 21

  • Functions in Visual Basic.
  • Assignment: Read and practice Chapter 4.3 and 4.4 of the Textbook.

Week 9 October 24 - October 28

  • Test #2 (Chapter 4).
  • Relational and logical operators and decision control structure.
  • Assignment: Read and practice Chapters 5.1 and 5.2 of the Textbook.

Week 10 October 31 - November 4

  • Select Case blocks.
  • Assignments:
  1. Read and practice Chapter 5.3 of the Textbook.
  2. Submit program #4.

Week 11 November 7 - November 11

  • Iteration control structure: DO loops and FOR - NEXT loops.
  • Assignment: Read and practice Chapter 6.1, 6.2 and 6.3 of the Textbook.

Week 12 November 14 - November 18

  • Test #3 (Chapters 5 and 6).
  • Student presentations.
  • Assignment: Submit program #5.

Week 13 November 21 - November 22 (Thanksgiving recess)

  • Student presentations.

Week 14 November 28 - December 2

  • Student presentations.
  • One-dimensional arrays. Sorting and searching.
  • Assignments:
  1. Read and practice Chapter 7.1 and 7.2 of the Textbook.
  2. Submit program #6.

Week 15 December 5 - December 8

  • Summary and Review.
  • Assignment: Submit Paper.

Tests These are designed as elemental evaluation devices and to prompt the student to stay abreast of assigned topics. They will be selected from among the problems and review questions from the Textbook chapters covered by the test and from the problems discussed in class. Each test will take 50 minutes. If a student has missed a test because of a serious reason, a make-up will be given together with the final exam following a written request.

Final exam This will be a cumulative objective test of representative content of the entire semester's course offerings.

Class discussion Since the style of the class sessions will be interactive, the student is expected to come to the class with prepared questions, comments and/or application examples. The student should try (through class discussions) to adapt the computer concepts to his/her major field of study.

Programs The student will be assigned six programming assignments, and he/she will construct and execute the solutions using Visual Basic. The student is responsible for constructing a set of test-data, which covers all of the possibilities inherent in that program assignment. The student must submit the following materials for each program: a title, description header for each program, a list of inputs, a program listing, and an output list. Programs are graded upon degree of success, precise implementation of the theoretic concepts, and use of appropriate program structure. There will be a penalty for late submissions.

Honesty Policy It is expected that all students will conduct themselves in an honest manner (see the CCSU Student Handbook), and never claim work which is not their own. Violating this policy will result in a substantial grade penalty, and could result in expulsion from the University. However, students are allowed to discuss programming assignments with others and receive debugging help from others.

Paper and presentation You may select a topic from the general field of computers in society, but a topic related to your major is highly recommended. Pursue that topic with several periodical references. Submit a 4 - 6 pages paper (in Microsoft Word) using at least 4 references. You will present your paper in 7 - 10 minutes talk in class using Microsoft PowerPoint. You will be grated according to the clarity and originality of both, your paper and presentation.

Attendance It is expected that the student will attend class sessions regularly. However, recognizing individual differences, each student is responsible for his/her own attendance and for making-up any missed study or work. Limited assistance will be offered to those with plausible reasons for absences; unexcused absences result in the student being totally responsible for make-up process.

Help with computers The University offers some student assistants who may be of value in helping the students with computer function only, not with program writing.

Grades and evaluation The student will be evaluated regularly during the semester and should be aware of his/her progress continuously during the semester. The Final Grade for the course will be reported according to the stated University policy. The basis for the Final Grade is shown below in its general form:

  • Tests 1, 2, and 3: 10 points each. Each provides 10% of Final Grade.
  • Programs 1 and 2: 2 points each. Each provides 2% of Final Grade.
  • Programs 3 and 4: 5 points each. Each provides 5% of Final Grade.
  • Programs 5 and 6: 8 points each. Each provides 8% of Final Grade.
  • Paper and presentation: 10 points. It provides 10% of Final Grade.
  • Final exam: 20 points. It provides 20% of Final Grade.
  • Class participation: 10 points. It provides 10% of Final Grade.